Declare Dignity: Hopkins Bookshop Offers Convention-themed Books by Bestselling Authors
By the Rev. Dr. Fred Moser
Declare Dignity: It’s the theme of our Diocesan Convention in the Episcopal Church in Vermont this fall. It could hardly be a more timely imperative for American Christians.
In our Baptismal Covenant each of us has promised God that we will “uphold the dignity of every human being.” We may not always think in specific terms about the implications of our promises to God when we say the Baptismal Covenant on the Baptismal feast days of our church year, or even at many actual baptisms.
But, there come times when the Baptismal Covenant becomes very real for us, or at least it should. We are living in such a time right now. When neo-Nazi white supremacists contravene a community’s efforts to heal from its racist past, and leaders equivocate about responsibility for the murderous violence incited by hate-filled words and actions, it is beyond time for baptized Christians to speak and act.
The work of our Diocesan Convention this year is centered around Donna Hicks’ 2011 book, Dignity: The Essential Role it Plays in Resolving Conflict. Donna Hicks will be with us for Convention, and Bishop Ely asks each of us to read her book. In Dignity, Donna Hicks talks about dignity as the basis for healthy human relationships; she goes on to examine ways we are tempted to violate human dignity, both others’ and our own, and to discuss dignity as the foundation for healing relationships on both small and large scales. Donna Hicks’ Dignity is readily available in our Hopkins Bookshop at Trinity.
A good spiritual practice for each of us this fall would be to educate ourselves about dignity as a core value of our Baptismal Covenant, and racism today as a crucial issue for American Christians. We can follow our Diocesan Convention’s work at this link: http://diovermont.org/diocesan-convention.php.
After the Convention delegates will share its proceedings with their respective congregations. Let us engage this tremendously important work with the full vigor of our faith!
Several other timely books on the specific topic of racism in America are these:
- Tears We Cannot Stop by Michael Eric Dyson
- Waking Up White by Debby Irving
- America’s Original Sin by Jim Wallis
- Living into God’s Dream: Dismantling Racism in America edited by Catherine Meeks
These too are available at Hopkins Bookshop. Let’s each try to read at least one of them!
Hopkins Bookshop is a specialty bookstore located at Trinity Episcopal Church, 5171 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, Vermont. There is plenty of on site parking and we are conveniently located on the Green Mountain Transit (CCTA) #6 bus line and within walking distance of Shelburne’s shops and restaurants.
Hopkins Bookshop is a place for all who seek books to challenge, inspire, and nourish them in their spiritual journeys. We are here to serve individuals, community groups, and churches of all denominations; providing resources for those who preach, teach, and minister, and helping readers and gift-givers find just the right books for their needs.
We are dedicated to offering excellent service and a wide selection of titles in the field of religion and spirituality.
Hopkins Bookshop
5171 Shelburne Rd.
Shelburne, VT 05482
http://hopkinsbookshop.com/
Phone: 802-658-6223